COLUMBUS, Ohio – Amid a national conversation about relations between law enforcement agencies and the communities they patrol, the Columbus Division of Police is trying to strengthen its relationship with minority communities by putting three specially-assigned officers on the streets to act as “points of contact” between the division and members of the community.
In addition to their regular duties, the three Diversity and Inclusion Liaison officers “proactively establish and maintain positive relationships” between police and the African-American, new American and LGBT communities, Chief Kim Jacobs said.
“Trust and an open line of communication between officers and residents is critical to effective policing. These newly assigned officers will be a direct point of contact with Columbus police and Columbus neighborhoods,” Jacobs said.
The officers will employ community-policing techniques to build trust and improve communication between the division and residents, Jacobs said. They will participate in safety efforts like hate crime prevention and crisis intervention.
These Diversity and Inclusion Liaison officers underscore Columbus’ commitment to being the most open and inclusive city possible,” said Columbus City Council president Andrew Ginther, who joined Jacobs, council member Zach Klein and Fraternal Order of Police Local 9 president Jason Pappas in making the announcement.
The officers will report directly to Jacobs and will serve as a “direct point of contact for identified constituencies,” working with existing community liaison officers and the Community Relations Commission.
At the news conference discussing the new liaison officers, Ginther also revealed a plan to spend an additional $250,000 for new and replacement Tasers, Taser cartridges, holsters and accessories so officers have what he termed a “less-lethal option” at their disposal during situation where the threat of violence appears to be escalating and where use of force is required.
Fatal shootings of unarmed black teenagers in Cleveland and Ferguson, Mo., touched off the debate over the use of force by police again African-American residents.